Inline Skates

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All the cool kids have started inline skating. Granted they started in the mid-'90s, but they started. Whether you're new to the club or buying replacements, this guide will help you through the decision making process. Don't forget that you need some pads and a helmet for your protection.

Skate Style and Types

Before anything, decide how you want to use your skates whether you goal is for recreation, transportation, competition, sport, cross-training, or general fitness. Here are some suggestions based on how you might plan to skate, from basic recreational skates to specialized skates for hockey or doing tricks.

Recreational  

  • Entry Level -- For beginners and the occasional skater, a basic, inexpensive pair of recreational skates   will suit you fine. You need not spend lots of money on features that won't be worth the money, especially since some features are destined for the pro who has enhanced strengths and abilities. Some good recreational skates to give you an idea of what you should be aiming at are the following:
  • Typically a hard outer frame with a soft boot that maximizes comfort and durability.
  • Uses four 70-80 mm wheels.
  • Higher-grade skates can come with larger wheels to allow for faster skating.
  • You will notice that these skates come standard with a brake system.

Fitness  

  • Mid-Range -- For those interested in using inline skating as part of their fitness regimen or for transport, durability and comfort should be your two major concerns. Choose a stiff boot that will last. This means things labeled as cross-training   or fitness skates   are good bets. Here are some quick options to check out priced low to high, starting at $100:
    • Zetrablade   skates (men's and women's) are meant to be as comfortable as possible for the price ($100).
    • Astro 7   skates come in models both for men and women. They are good for all levels and have a breathable mesh inner boot for comfort and a sturdy aluminum frame that is built to last.
  • You will notice that these skates are designed the same as recreational skates. They have the same wheel formation, the same type of closure, and even a brake.
  • The difference between these skates and recreational skates is the price and the construction.

Hockey  

  • Sports -- If you are into playing hockey, or if you are buying for a child into hockey, make sure that you get hockey skates .  They are designed slightly differently, with a tighter wheel arrangement and a soft, yet supportive body for absorbing shock and allowing for flexibility. Here are some examples:
    • The Turbo 3 Boot   is for little hockey players dreaming of becoming stars. Sizes run 11, 12, 13, 1 and 1, 2, 3, 4 (small and medium, respectively).
    • Mission Helium 150   is for kids just starting out who may or may not pursue inline hockey more than a few seasons.
    • Tour Red Max Lo-Boy   is a hot looking skate just out by Tour that is good for a kid who is really into skating and who needs a quality skate.
    • For those wearing adult size skates who are willing to spend some cash, check out the Mission Helium He750 Sr.  
  • Durable, leather uppers and significant padding make for good protection.
  • Closure system almost always uses laces.
  • Larger wheels in back and smaller wheels in front are for control, and tapered wheels give better stability turning.
  • No braking system.

Aggressive  

  • Trick Skates -- Those who grind, do railslides, or other tricks need a specialized skate, typically referred to as an aggressive   or street skate .  Here are a few examples:
    • The ATA700   is a basic pair of aggressive skates with a grind plate and a low price tag.
    • The TRS A6   is stylish and solid with top of the line bearings with smooth sliding soleplates.
    • The Razor Shima   is a white hot pair of blades with a grind plate and a solid one piece frame with ABEC 5 bindings.
  • Solidly designed for rails, stunts, jumps, ramps, and half pipes.
  • They come with smaller, harder wheels that are more maneuverable and durable.
  • Wheels are around 55-67 mm.
  • Grind plates are a major feature to look for as is a scuff guard.

Speed  

  • Pro Skates -- The unique design of these skates make them sleek and aerodynamic, perfect for generating and maintaining high speeds.
  • Lighter, and more minimalist in design, specifically for speed skating.
  • They have longer frames and larger wheels.
  • You might notice the very low neck on the ankle, designed to give you maximum flexibility.
  • Thin wheels and no brakes means you better be good before you get on these.

Sizing

Manufacturers
Genesys  
GTS  
K2  
Mission  
Salomon  
Razor  
Remz  
Rollerblade  
Roces  
RTX  
Tour  
TRS  
Getting the right fit can be hard if you order online, but it is less expensive. Your best bet is to try skates on in a store and then get your savings online -- just do the salesperson a favor and don't go spending two hours trying on every pair just to tell him or her, thanks, but you're buying online.

When trying skates on you should be able to wiggle your toes just slightly with your heels against the back of the skate. If your feet feel like they are floating or if your toes hit the front of the skate, you need a different size. You want them to be snug, but not pinching or chaffing. Move around a bit, retighten the skates and move around some more. Keep in mind that most of the skates in stores will be of the recreational type, not speed or trick skates.

Cost

There is nothing like a blister or strained ankle to deter you from skating, and the less pain you get from your skates, the more likely you will be to use them. Anything around $100-$120 is usually a safe choice for the recreational skater who wants good quality skates. However, if you look for skates that are on sale or clearance, you can get skates of the same quality for a discounted price.

Don't forget to add on the costs of safety gear, such as helmets ,  wrist guards ,  elbow pads ,  and knee pads ,  especially for trick skaters, beginners, and young children. Expect to spend about $100 -$150 for extra equipment, if you don't own any.

Skate Construction

There are two types of inline skates to choose from, either hard shell or soft boot. The hard shell construction consists of molded plastic so they look similar to a ski boot. The lower half covers and protects the foot, while the upper half wraps around and supports the ankle. The two halves are connected with a hinge system that allows the ankle and boot to flex forward naturally. The uppers on recreational skates are usually made from synthetic materials, while hockey skates are usually made of leather composites. As for soft boots, they are made with an external (and sometimes internal) plastic cuff to provide support, like a hiking boot. They provide a good fit and performance, plus they are very breathable and lightweight, and they are generally secured by laces.  You might hear talk about frames, which are what hold skate components in place. Most recreational frames are made of aluminum, nylon, or fiberglass composites. While metal frames are stiffer, faster, and lighter, they are also more pricey. Finally, make sure the skates frames are compatible with the way you plan on using them.

Here are some of the replaceable parts on a skate.

Wheels  

  • Usually made of polyurethane.
  • Typical wheel diameters are from 70-80 mm, with larger wheels enhancing speed and smaller wheels being designed more for maneuverability.
  • Softer wheels are good for winter and provide a softer ride.
  • Harder wheels are better in the summer when hot weather causes the wheels to soften.

Brakes  

  • The most common form of braking system is a pad or cylinder on the rear wheel that stops movement by applying pressure on the heel.
  • Hockey skates and speed skates normally do not include braking systems.

Bearings  

  • Bearings are the seven or eight balls at the center of each wheel that allow the wheel to spin.
  • Each has an ABEC rating ( ABEC-1 ,  ABEC-3 ,  ABEC-5   ) indicating their precision. Higher ratings equal better performance and speed.
  • Serviceable bearings have a metal shield with a removable "C" ring, or a plastic/rubber removable shield that must be taken apart and lubricated.
  • Non-serviceable bearings have a metal shield that protects them. These only need to be wiped off with a clean cloth.

Closures

  • There are two primary forms of closure systems on inline skates
  • Buckles are mostly found on recreational skates, and are the quickest to put on and take off.
  • Laces are less expensive than buckle closures, offer a uniform closing, and allow for more adjustment variations.

Related Products

Inline Skating

Helmets  

Skater Padding  

Ice Skates

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